Wireless broadband meter collar

ABSTRACT

A broadband access system, comprising a broadband access hub device (hub device) and broadband access premise devices (premise devices) wirelessly coupled the hub device to provide broadband services to multiple user equipment (UEs), is described. The hub device may access broadband services on a fiber optic broadband network and wirelessly provide access to the broadband services to the premise devices. The premise device may wirelessly communicate with the hub device and communicate with user equipment (UEs) for providing access to the broadband services through the hub device. The premise device may be attached to an electric utility meter, and a power interface module of the premise device may supply electrical power to the premise device from the electric utility meter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/866,006, filed May 4, 2020, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/160,807, filed Oct.15, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,686,619, issued Jun. 16, 2020, both ofwhich are entitled “Wireless Broadband Meter Collar,” which disclosuresare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The demand for services available on the Internet and the availabilityof devices to access the Internet for the services have been increasingrapidly. An access point, such as a home wireless local area network(WLAN) router connected to an Internet service provider, often becomes abottleneck for accommodating communication and data exchange demandsbetween the home WLAN router and devices connected to the home WLANrouter. For example, a family of four may share the same home WLAN witha first person streaming a high definition movie to his smart phone, asecond person video chatting with a friend on his laptop computer, athird person downloading HD movies to his pad device, and a fourthperson playing an online video game on his computer. Each of theactivities requires a high rate of data via the home WLAN, and when thehome WLAN fails to meet the demands from these devices, it often leadsto unfavorable user experience. For example, the download speed maybecome slower than expected or desired, video quality may degrade,buffering of data may become more frequent and longer, and the servicemay even be terminated due to the lack of adequate and continuouscommunication or data exchange between the device and the service beingused on the Internet. Sometimes the cause of the bottleneck is due tothe capacity of the home WLAN router itself, but, more often, it is dueto the limited speed available from the Internet service provider.

Internet service providers, such as cable TV and telecommunicationcompanies, have begun providing broadband services that is capable ofdownload speed of one gigabit-per-second (Gbps) and higher, however,such services generally require access to a fiber optic broadbandnetwork and are limited to certain geographical areas. At leastpartially due to associated costs of physically extending the fiberoptic broadband network to individual homes, the fiber optic broadbandnetwork for the final portion of the Internet and/or telecommunicationnetwork, also known as the last mile, mostly remains incomplete, and ahigh-speed broadband service, such as 1 Gbps service, remainsunavailable for customers without access to a fiber optic broadbandnetwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items or features.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example block diagram of a broadband accesssystem.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of the broadband accesspremise device of FIG. 1 shown with associated external components.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of the broadband access hubdevice of FIG. 1 shown with associated external components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and devices discussed herein are directed to providing broadbandservices, and more specifically to providing broadband services to userequipment (UEs) in a vicinity of an electrical utility meter.

A broadband access system, comprising a broadband access hub device (hubdevice) and one or more broadband access premise devices (premisedevices) wirelessly coupled the hub device to provide broadband servicesto multiple user equipment (UEs), is described. By wirelessly couplingthe hub device and one or more premise devices, cost, time, andinconveniences, sometimes referred as the last mile problem, associatedwith providing broadband services to premises, such as homes andbusinesses, may be reduced compared to physically connecting eachpremise to a fiber optic broadband network for broadband services.

The hub device may be coupled to a fiber optic broadband network via afiber optic interface module to access broadband services available onthe fiber optic broadband network and provide access to the broadbandservices to the premise devices by wirelessly communicating with thepremise devices using a first telecommunication protocol via a hubantenna. The premise device may have a first antenna, a second antenna,and a power interface module, and may be configured to wirelesslycommunicate with the hub device via the first antenna using the firsttelecommunication protocol. The premise device may further be configuredto communicate with user equipment (UEs) via the second antenna using asecond telecommunication protocol for providing access to the broadbandservices through the hub device. The power interface module may beconfigured to supply electrical power to the broadband access premisedevice from an electric utility meter.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example block diagram of a broadband access system100.

The broadband access system 100 may comprise a broadband access hubdevice (hub device) 102 and broadband access premise devices (premisedevices), of which three premise devices 104, 106, and 108 are shown inthis example. The broadband access hub device 102 may be connected to afiber optic broadband network 110 and access broadband servicesavailable on the fiber optic broadband network 110 provided by abroadband service provider (not shown). The hub device 102 maywirelessly communicate with the premise devices 104, 106, and 108, asshown by arrows 112, 114, and 116, respectively, to provide access tothe broadband services on the fiber optic broadband network 110 using afirst telecommunication protocol via a hub antenna (not shown) of thehub device 102.

The premise device 104, as an example of the premise devices, may have afirst antenna (not shown), a second antenna (not shown), and a powerinterface module (not shown). The premise device 104 may be configuredto wirelessly communicate, as shown with arrow 112, with the hub device102 via the first antenna using the first telecommunication protocol toaccess the broadband services on the fiber optic broadband network 110.Alternatively, or additionally, the premise device 104 may be connecteddirectly to the fiber optic broadband network 110 as shown by a dottedline 136. The premise device 104 may be configured to communicate with aplurality of user equipment (UEs), as shown by 118, via the secondantenna using a second telecommunication protocol for providing accessto the broadband services through the hub device 102. Three UEs, 120,122, and 124 belonging to a premise 126, such as family members of ahousehold, business employees, etc., are shown in this example as beingin communication with the premise device 104 and being able to accessthe broadband services such as access to the Internet. Alternatively, oradditionally, the premise device 104 may communicate with the UEs 120,122, and 124 via a wireline communication 138 and a router 140, whichmay be supplied by a customer. The wireline communication 138 may beEthernet or Powerline communication. The router 140 may communicate withthe UEs 120, 122, and 124 wirelessly such as Wifi, NFC, and the like, orvia a wired communication such as Ethernet, USB, and the like.

The premise device 104 may be configured to attach as a meter collar toan electric utility meter 128, which may be a smart meter, of thepremise 126, and the power interface module may be configured to supplyelectrical power to the premise device 104 from the electric utilitymeter 128. The premise device 104 may be further configured to readelectrical information, such as electrical consumption and/or generationover a certain period, statistical data analysis of thereof, outageinformation, etc. stored in memory of the electric utility meter 128,that is electrical information of the premise 126 associated with theelectric utility meter 128. The premise device 104 may be configured totransmit the electrical information to a service entity (not shown)associated with the electric utility meter 128 using the broadbandservices via the hub device 102.

The premise device 104 may be configured to communicate with the hubdevice 102 using a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum and communicatewith the UEs 120, 122, and 124 using a second RF spectrum, where thefirst RF spectrum may be in the millimeter wave spectrum. The hubantenna of the hub device 102 and the first antenna of the premisedevice 104 may be configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with each other. The second antenna of the premise device 104may also be configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with the UEs, such as UEs 120, 122, and 124, in communicationwith the premise device 104. The beam-forming may be achieved by usingan antenna array or a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna. Toavoid RF interferences, the premise device 104 may be configured to usechannels in the second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs 120, 122,and 124, that are different from channels in the second RF spectrum usedby a neighboring premise device, such as the premise devices 106 and108.

The hub device 102 may be configured to be mounted on a structure suchas a side of a building, a powerline tower, a pad mount on the ground, autility structure such as a telephone or a utility pole such as autility pole 130 shown in this example, or on any suitable mount, tocommunicate with nearby premise devices such as the premise devices 104,106, and 108. Each premise device may also be covered by another, or asecondary hub device, such as a hub device 132 shown in this example asmounted on another utility pole 134 and in communication with thepremise device 104. The hub device 132 may also be connected to the samefiber optic broadband network 110 as the premise device 102, to provideaccess to the broadband services to the premise device 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of the broadband accesspremise device 104 of FIG. 1 shown with associated external components.

The premise device 104 may comprise a housing 202, which may house oneor more processors 204, memory 206, a first antenna 208, a firstcommunication module 210, a second antenna 212, and a secondcommunication module 214.

In some embodiments, the processors 204 may include a central processingunit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), both CPU and GPU, or otherprocessing units or components known in the art. Additionally, each ofthe processors 204 may possess its own local memory, which also maystore program modules, program data, and/or one or more operatingsystems.

Depending on the exact configuration and type of the premise device 104,the memory 206 may be volatile, such as RAM, non-volatile, such as ROM,flash memory, miniature hard drive, memory card, and the like, or somecombination thereof. The memory 206 may include an operating system, oneor more program modules, and may include program data.

The processors 204 may be coupled to the memory 206 and execute computerexecutable instructions stored in the memory 206. The processors 204 maybe also coupled modules and components of the premise device 104 and mayperform various functions including instructing and causing the modulesand components of the premise device 104 to perform their associatedfunctions. The first antenna 208 and the second antenna 212 may belocated inside, outside, or on the outside surface, of the housing 202.In this example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first antenna 208 and thesecond antenna 212 are shown to be located outside of the housing 202.

The first communication module 210 may be coupled to the first antenna208 and communicate with the hub device 102 using a firsttelecommunication protocol via the first antenna 208 for accessingbroadband services on the fiber optic broadband network 110. The firstcommunication module 210 may communicate with the hub device 102 in afirst radio frequency (RF) spectrum, such as a millimeter wave spectrum,and the first antenna 208 may be configured to beam-form for achievingoptimum link properties with the premise device 104 and the hub device102. The first communication module 210 may also be configured tocommunicate with another hub device, such as the hub device 132 asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1 . Alternatively, oradditionally, the premise device 104 may comprise a fiber opticinterface 214 connected directly to the fiber optic broadband network110 as shown by a dotted line 136 to access the broadband service.

The second communication module 216 may be coupled to the second antenna212 and the first communication module 210 via the processors 204. Thesecond communication module 216 may be configured to communicate withthe UEs 120, 122, and 124 in a second RF spectrum using a secondtelecommunication protocol via the second antenna 212 for providingaccess to the broadband services to the UEs 120, 122, and 124 via thefirst communication module 210. The second antenna 212 may be configuredto beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the UEs 120,122, and 124. The second communication module 216 may be configured touse channels in the second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs 120,122, and 124 that are different from channels in the second RF spectrumused by a neighboring broadband access premise device, such as thepremise device 106 as discussed above with reference to FIG. 1 .Alternatively, or additionally, the premise device 104 may comprise awireline communication module 218 to communicate with the UEs 120, 122,and 124 via a wireline communication 138 and a router 140. The wirelinecommunication 138 may be Ethernet or Powerline communication. The router140 may communicate with the UEs 120, 122, and 124 wirelessly such asWifi, NFC, and the like, or via a wired communication such as Ethernet,USB, and the like.

The premise device 104 may also comprise a power interface module 220,coupled to the processors 204, housed in the housing 202. The powerinterface module 220 may be coupled the electric utility meter 128 andsupply electrical power from the electric utility meter 128 to some orall components and modules of the premise device 104. The premise device104, more specifically the housing 202, may be configured to attach as ameter collar to the electric utility meter 128. If the electric utilitymeter 128 is a smart meter, it may store electrical informationassociated with the electric utility meter 128, i.e., electricalinformation of the premise 126, in its memory for reporting to anassociated service entity. The power interface module 220 may read theelectrical information from the memory of the electric utility meter 128and provide to the first communication module 210 for transmitting theelectrical information to the associated service entity using thebroadband services on the fiber optic broadband network 110.

The premise device 104 may additionally comprise an input/output (I/O)interface module 222 coupled to the processors 204. The I/O interfacemodule 222 may be configured to communicate with a programming device,such as a computing device 224 loaded with appropriate applications forprogramming or checking the status of the premise device 104. Thecomputing device 224 may have input device(s), such as a keyboard, amouse, a pen, a voice input device, a touch input device, and the like,and output device(s), such as a display, speakers, a printer, and thelike.

The I/O interface module 222 may comprise a connector, such as a telcoconnector, a USB connector, a RJ45 connector, and the like, and/or an RFcommunication module such as a near field communication (NFC), Bluetoothcommunication, or Wifi communication module for communication with thecomputing device 224.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of the broadband access hubdevice (hub device) 102 of FIG. 1 shown with associated externalcomponents.

The hub device 102 may comprise a housing 302, which may house one ormore processors 304, memory 306, a hub antenna 308, a hub communicationmodule 310, a fiber optic interface module 312, and an I/O interfacemodule 314.

In some embodiments, the processors 304 may include a central processingunit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), both CPU and GPU, or otherprocessing units or components known in the art. Additionally, each ofthe processors 304 may possess its own local memory, which also maystore program modules, program data, and/or one or more operatingsystems.

Depending on the exact configuration and type of the hub device 102, thememory 306 may be volatile, such as RAM, non-volatile, such as ROM,flash memory, miniature hard drive, memory card, and the like, or somecombination thereof. The memory 306 may include an operating system, oneor more program modules, and may include program data.

The processors 304 may be coupled to the memory 306 and execute computerexecutable instructions stored in the memory 306. The processors 304 mayalso be couple modules and components of the hub device 102 and mayperform various functions including instructing and causing the modulesand components of the hub device 102 to perform their associatedfunctions. The hub antenna 308 may be located inside, outside, or on theoutside surface, of the housing 302. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the hub antenna 308 are shown to be located outside of the housing302.

The fiber optic interface module 312 may be couple to the fiber opticbroadband network 110 for accessing broadband services. The hubcommunication module 310 may be coupled to the processors 304, the fiberoptic interface module 312, and the hub antenna 308, and may communicatewith a plurality of premise devices for providing access to thebroadband services via the hub antenna 308. In this example, two premisedevices, 104 and 106, are shown to be in communication with the hubdevice 102. The hub antenna 308 may beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with the premise devices 104 and 106 in communication withthe hub device 302. The hub communication module 310 may be configuredto communicate with the premise devices 104 and 106 in a millimeter wavespectrum.

The hub device 102 may also comprise an input/output (I/O) interface 314coupled to the processors 304. The I/O interface module 314 may beconfigured to communicate with a computing device, such as a computingdevice 316 loaded with appropriate applications for programming orchecking the status of the hub device 102. The computing device 316 mayhave input device(s), such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a voice inputdevice, a touch input device, and the like, and output device(s), suchas a display, speakers, a printer, and the like.

The I/O interface module 314 may comprise a connector, such as a telcoconnector, a USB connector, a RJ45 connector, and the like, and/or an RFcommunication module such as a near field communication (NFC), Bluetoothcommunication, or Wifi communication module for communication with thecomputer 316.

The hub device 102 may be configured to be mounted on a structure suchas a side of a building, a powerline tower, a pad mount on the ground, autility structure such as a telephone or a utility pole, or any othersuitable mount as described above with reference to FIG. 1 .

The techniques and mechanisms of the hub device 102 and the premisedevice 104 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3 are examples ofsuch devices and are not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of any device utilized to perform theprocesses and/or procedures described above.

Some or all operations described above can be performed by execution ofcomputer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storagemedium, as defined below. The term “computer-readable instructions” asused in the description and claims, include routines, applications,application modules, program modules, programs, components, datastructures, algorithms, and the like. Computer-readable instructions canbe implemented on various system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based, programmable consumer electronics, combinationsthereof, and the like.

The computer-readable storage media may include volatile memory, such asrandom-access memory (RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such asread-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc. The computer-readable storagemedia may also include additional removable storage and/or non-removablestorage including, but not limited to, flash memory, magnetic storage,optical storage, and/or tape storage that may provide non-volatilestorage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, programmodules, and the like.

A non-transient computer-readable storage medium is an example ofcomputer-readable media. Computer-readable media includes at least twotypes of computer-readable media, namely computer-readable storage mediaand communications media. Computer-readable storage media includesvolatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implementedin any process or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer-readable storage media includes, but is not limitedto, phase change memory (PRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM),dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), other types of random-access memory(RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology,compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD) orother optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmissionmedium that can be used to store information for access by a computingdevice. In contrast, communication media may embody computer-readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in amodulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transmissionmechanism. As defined herein, computer-readable storage media do notinclude communication media.

The computer-readable instructions stored on one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, may perform operations described above with reference toFIGS. 1-3 . Generally, computer-readable instructions include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like thatperform particular functions or implement particular abstract datatypes. The order in which the operations are described is not intendedto be construed as a limitation, and any number of the describedoperations can be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implementthe processes.

Example Clauses

A. A broadband access premise device comprising: a housing; a firstantenna and a second antenna disposed in the housing; a firstcommunication module disposed in the housing and coupled to the firstantenna, the first communication module configured to communicate with abroadband access hub device using a first telecommunication protocol viathe first antenna for accessing broadband services available in a fiberoptic broadband network through the broadband access hub device; asecond communication module disposed in the housing and coupled to thesecond antenna and the first communication module, the secondcommunication module configured to communicate with a plurality of userequipment (UEs) using a second telecommunication protocol via the secondantenna for providing access to the broadband services to the UEs viathe first communication module; and a power interface module disposed inthe housing and coupled to the first and second communication modules,the power interface module configured to supply electrical power to thefirst and second communication modules from an electric utility meter.

B. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, whereinthe power interface module is further configured to: read electricalinformation associated with the electric utility meter stored in memoryof the electrical utility meter, and provide the electrical informationto the first communication module, and wherein the first communicationmodule is further configured to transmit the electrical information to aservice entity associated with the electric utility meter via thebroadband services.

C. The broadband access premise device as paragraph B recites, whereinthe housing access is configured to attach as a meter collar to theelectrical utility meter.

D. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, whereinthe first communication module is further configured to communicate withthe broadband access hub device using a first radio frequency (RF)spectrum, and wherein the second communication module is furtherconfigured to communicate with UEs using a second RF spectrum.

E. The broadband access premise device as paragraph D recites, whereinthe second communication module is further configured to use channels inthe second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs that are differentfrom channels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring broadbandaccess premise device.

The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, wherein thefirst antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with the broadband access hub device.

G. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, whereinthe second antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communicationwith the broadband access premise device.

H. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, whereinthe first communication module is further configured to communicate withthe broadband access hub device in a millimeter wave spectrum.

I. The broadband access premise device as paragraph A recites, whereinthe first communication module is further configured to communicate withanother broadband access hub device.

J. A broadband access hub device comprising: a housing; a hub antennadisposed in the housing; a fiber optic interface module disposed in thehousing, the fiber optic interface module configured to couple to afiber optic broadband network for accessing broadband services availableon the fiber optic broadband network; and a hub communication moduledisposed in the housing and coupled to the fiber optic interface moduleand the hub antenna, the hub communication module configured tocommunicate with a plurality of broadband access premise devices via thehub antenna for providing access to the broadband services, the hubantenna configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link propertieswith broadband access premise devices of the plurality of broadbandaccess premise devices in communication with the broadband access hubdevice.

K. The broadband access hub device as paragraph J recites, wherein thehub communication module is further configured to communicate with theplurality of broadband access premise devices in a millimeter wavespectrum.

L. The broadband access hub device as paragraph J recites, wherein thebroadband access hub device is configured to be mounted on a utilitystructure.

M. A broadband access system comprising: a broadband access hub device;and one or more broadband access premise devices, the broadband accesshub device coupled to a fiber optic broadband network, the broadbandaccess hub device configured to access broadband services available onthe fiber optic broadband network and to provide access to the broadbandservices to the one or more broadband access premise devices bywirelessly communicating with the one or more broadband access premisedevices using a first telecommunication protocol via a hub antenna, anda broadband access premise device having a first antenna, a secondantenna, and a power interface module, the broadband access premisedevice configured to wirelessly communicate with the broadband accesshub device via the first antenna using the first telecommunicationprotocol and to communicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs) viathe second antenna using a second telecommunication protocol forproviding access to the broadband services through the broadband accesshub device, the power interface module configured to supply electricalpower to the broadband access premise device from an electric utilitymeter.

N. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein thebroadband access premise device is further configured to use channels tocommunicate with the UEs that are different from channels used by aneighboring broadband access premise device.

O. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein thebroadband access hub device and the broadband access premise device arefurther configured to communicate with each other in a millimeter wavespectrum through the hub antenna and the first antenna, respectively.

P. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein the hubantenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link propertieswith one or more broadband access premise devices in communication withthe broadband access hub device, and wherein the first antenna isconfigured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with thebroadband access hub device.

Q. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein thesecond antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communicationwith the broadband access premise device.

R. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, the broadbandaccess premise device is configured to attach as a meter collar to theelectrical utility meter.

S. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, wherein thebroadband access premise device is further configured to: readelectrical information associated with the electric utility meter storedin memory of the electrical utility meter and transmit the electricalinformation to a service entity associated with the electric utilitymeter using the broadband services via the broadband access hub device.

T. The broadband access system as paragraph M recites, furthercomprising: another broadband access hub device coupled to the fiberoptic broadband network, the other broadband access hub deviceconfigured to access broadband services available on the fiber opticbroadband network and to provide access to the broadband services to atleast one of the one or more broadband access premise devices bywirelessly communicating with the at least one of the one or morebroadband access premise devices using the first telecommunicationprotocol via a hub antenna of the other broadband access hub device.

U. A broadband access premise device comprising: one or more processors;and memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storingcomputer executable instructions, that when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to instruct modules toperform configured functions, the modules including: a firstcommunication module coupled to a first antenna, the first communicationmodule configured to communicate with a broadband access hub deviceusing a first telecommunication protocol via the first antenna foraccessing broadband services available on a fiber optic broadbandnetwork through the broadband access hub device; a second communicationmodule coupled to a second antenna and the first communication module,the second communication module configured to communicate with aplurality of user equipment (UEs) using a second telecommunicationprotocol via the second antenna for providing access to the broadbandservices to the UEs via the first communication module; and a powerinterface module coupled to the first and second communication modules,the power interface module configured to supply electrical power to thefirst and second communication modules from an electric utility meter.

V. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, whereinthe power interface module is further configured to: read electricalinformation associated with the electric utility meter stored in memoryof the electrical utility meter, and provide the electrical informationto the first communication module, and wherein the first communicationmodule is further configured to transmit the electrical information to aservice entity associated with the electric utility meter via thebroadband services.

W. The broadband access premise device as paragraph V recites, whereinthe housing access is configured to attach as a meter collar to theelectrical utility meter.

X. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, whereinthe first communication module is further configured to communicate withthe broadband access hub device using a first radio frequency (RF)spectrum, and wherein the second communication module is furtherconfigured to communicate with UEs using a second RF spectrum.

Y. The broadband access premise device as paragraph X recites, whereinthe second communication module is further configured to use channels inthe second RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs that are differentfrom channels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring broadbandaccess premise device.

Z. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, whereinthe first antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with the broadband access hub device.

AA. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, whereinthe second antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communicationwith the broadband access premise device.

AB. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, whereinthe first communication module is further configured to communicate withthe broadband access hub device in a millimeter wave spectrum.

AC. The broadband access premise device as paragraph U recites, whereinthe first communication module is further configured to communicate withanother broadband access hub device.

AD. A broadband access hub device comprising: one or more processors;and memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storingcomputer executable instructions, that when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to instruct modules toperform configured functions, the modules including: a fiber opticinterface module configured to couple to a fiber optic broadband networkfor accessing broadband services; and a hub communication module coupledto the fiber optic interface module and a hub antenna, the hubcommunication module configured to communicate with a plurality ofbroadband access premise devices via the hub antenna for providingaccess to the broadband services, the hub antenna configured tobeam-form for achieving optimum link properties with broadband accesspremise devices of the plurality of broadband access premise devices incommunication with the broadband access hub device.

AE. The broadband access hub device as paragraph AD recites, wherein thehub communication module is further configured to communicate with theplurality of broadband access premise devices in a millimeter wavespectrum.

AF. The broadband access hub device as paragraph AD recites, wherein thebroadband access hub device is configured to be mounted on a utilitystructure.

AG. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions,that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to instruct modules to perform configured functions, themodules including: a first communication module coupled to a firstantenna, the first communication module configured to communicate with abroadband access hub device using a first telecommunication protocol viathe first antenna for accessing broadband services available on a fiberoptic broadband network through the broadband access hub device; asecond communication module coupled to a second antenna and the firstcommunication module, the second communication module configured tocommunicate with a plurality of user equipment (UEs) using a secondtelecommunication protocol via the second antenna for providing accessto the broadband services to the UEs via the first communication module;and a power interface module coupled to the first and secondcommunication modules, the power interface module configured to supplyelectrical power to the first and second communication modules from anelectric utility meter.

AH. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein thepower interface module is further configured to: read electricalinformation associated with the electric utility meter stored in memoryof the electrical utility meter, and provide the electrical informationto the first communication module, and wherein the first communicationmodule is further configured to transmit the electrical information to aservice entity associated with the electric utility meter via thebroadband services.

AI. The computer readable medium as paragraph AH recites, wherein thehousing access is configured to attach as a meter collar to theelectrical utility meter.

AJ. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein thefirst communication module is further configured to communicate with thebroadband access hub device using a first radio frequency (RF) spectrum,and wherein the second communication module is further configured tocommunicate with UEs using a second RF spectrum.

AK. The computer readable medium as paragraph AK recites, wherein thesecond communication module is further configured to use channels in thesecond RF spectrum to communicate with the UEs that are different fromchannels in the second RF spectrum used by a neighboring broadbandaccess premise device.

AL. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein thefirst antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with the broadband access hub device.

AM. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein thesecond antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with one or more UEs of the plurality of UEs in communicationwith the broadband access premise device.

AN. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein thefirst communication module is further configured to communicate with thebroadband access hub device in a millimeter wave spectrum.

AO. The computer readable medium as paragraph AG recites, wherein thefirst communication module is further configured to communicate withanother broadband access hub device.

AP. A computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions,that when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or moreprocessors to instruct modules to perform configured functions, themodules including: a fiber optic interface module configured to coupleto a fiber optic broadband network for accessing broadband services; anda hub communication module coupled to the fiber optic interface moduleand a hub antenna, the hub communication module configured tocommunicate with a plurality of broadband access premise devices via thehub antenna for providing access to the broadband services, the hubantenna configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link propertieswith broadband access premise devices of the plurality of broadbandaccess premise devices in communication with the broadband access hubdevice.

AQ. The computer readable medium as paragraph AP recites, wherein thehub communication module is further configured to communicate with theplurality of broadband access premise devices in a millimeter wavespectrum.

AR. The computer readable medium as paragraph AP recites, wherein thebroadband access hub device is configured to be mounted on a utilitystructure.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms ofimplementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a hub device including atleast one first antenna configured to access internet services availableon an internet network; and a premise device including: at least onesecond antenna, and at least one third antenna, a first communicationmodule coupled to the at least one second antenna, a secondcommunication module coupled to the first communication module, whereinthe premise device is configured to: wirelessly communicate, via thefirst communication module and the at least one second antenna, with theat least one first antenna, and communicate, via the secondcommunication module and the at least one third antenna, with aplurality of user devices for providing access to the internet servicesthrough the hub device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondcommunication module is configured to provide access to the internetservices by utilizing wiring of a utility meter.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the at least one first antenna and the at least one secondantenna are configured to communicate in at last one of low, mid, orhigh band spectrum.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein: the at least onefirst antenna is configured to beam-form for achieving optimum linkproperties with the premise device; and the at least one second antennais configured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties withthe hub device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the premise device isconfigured to attach as a meter collar to a utility meter.
 6. The systemof claim 1, further comprising a second premise device including atleast one fourth antenna and at least one fifth antenna, the secondpremise device configured to: wirelessly communicate with the at leastone first antenna via the at least one fourth antenna; and communicatewith a second plurality of user devices via the at least one fourthantenna for providing access to the internet services through the hubdevice.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein: the hub device is configuredto communicate with the premise device using first channels; and the hubdevice is configured to communicate with the second premise device usingsecond channels that are different than the first channels.
 8. A systemcomprising: a first device including a first antenna array that isconfigured to communicatively couple to an internet network offeringinternet services; and a second device including: a second antennaarray, a third antenna array, a first communication module coupled tothe second antenna array, the first communication module configured tocommunicate with the first antenna array, via the second antenna array,for accessing the internet services available on the internet network,and a second communication module coupled to the third antenna array,the second communication module configured to provide access to theinternet services via the first communication module by utilizing wiringof a utility meter.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the secondcommunication module is further configured to: communicatively couple toa router by utilizing the wiring of the utility meter; and provideaccess to the internet services for one or more user devices via therouter.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein: the first antenna array isconfigured to beam-form for achieving optimum link properties with thesecond device, and the second antenna array is configured to beam-formfor achieving optimum link properties with the first device.
 11. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the first antenna array of the first deviceand the second antenna array of the second device are configured tocommunicate in a low, medium, and high wave spectrum.
 12. The system ofclaim 8, further comprising a third device including: a fourth antennaarray; a fifth antenna array; a third communication module coupled tothe fourth antenna array, the third communication module configured tocommunicate with the first antenna array, via the fourth antenna array,for accessing the internet services available on the internet network;and a fourth communication module coupled to the fifth antenna array,the fourth communication module configured to provide access to theinternet services via the third communication module.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein: the first device is configured to communicate withthe second device using first channels; and the first device isconfigured to communicate with the third device using second channelsthat are different than the first channels.
 14. The system of claim 8,wherein the utility meter comprises an electrical utility meter, and thesecond device is further configured to: read electrical informationassociated with the electrical utility meter stored in memory of theelectrical utility meter; and transmit the electrical information to aservice entity associated with the electrical utility meter using theinternet services via the first device.
 15. The system of claim 8,wherein the third antenna array is configured to beam-form for achievingoptimum link properties with one or more user devices in communicationwith the second device.
 16. A system comprising: a first deviceincluding a first communication module that is configured tocommunicatively couple to an internet network offering internetservices; and a second device including: a second communication moduleconfigured to communicate with the first communication module foraccessing the internet services available on the internet network, and athird communication module configured to communicate with the secondcommunication module provide a third device with access to the internetservices.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein: the first communicationmodule includes a first antenna; and the second communication moduleincludes: a second antenna configured to communicate with the firstantenna, and a third antenna configured to communicate with the secondantenna and wirelessly provide the third device with access to theinternet services.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the firstcommunication module includes a first antenna that is configured tobeam-form for achieving optimum link properties with the internetnetwork.
 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the second device furtherincludes a power module coupled to the second communication module andthe third communication module, the power module being configured to:read utility meter information associated with a utility meter stored inmemory of the utility meter; provide the utility meter information tothe third communication module; and transmit, by the secondcommunication module, the utility meter information to a service entityassociated with the utility meter via the internet services.
 20. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the second communication module is furtherconfigured to: communicatively couple to a router by utilizing wiring ofa utility meter; and provide access to the internet services to thethird device via the router.